He Shared His Address for Diwali Gifts. The Internet Sent Chaos Instead

COLOMBO (News 1st); What began as a light-hearted Diwali request from a social media influencer quickly spiraled into a bizarre and disruptive ordeal that ultimately forced him to abandon his home.

Veeramani, a content creator based in Madurai, India, had shared his residential address and phone number online ahead of Diwali, hoping that followers and well-wishers would send him a box of sweets to celebrate the festival.

Instead, pranksters launched what appeared to be a coordinated campaign of harassment, using his personal details to place dozens of fraudulent cash-on-delivery orders through major e-commerce platforms.

Within days, delivery vehicles began arriving at his residence carrying expensive merchandise, including refrigerators, washing machines, smartphones and televisions. In one instance, couriers arrived with a television reportedly valued at 169,000 Indian rupees, expecting immediate payment upon delivery.

While the situation initially drew amusement online due to the sheer absurdity of the orders, the prank quickly escalated into a serious disruption.

Food deliveries began arriving continuously throughout the day, while social media users circulated screenshots claiming they had ordered heavy industrial machinery and even military hardware worth millions of dollars to be sent to his address.

The relentless stream of delivery personnel left Veeramani struggling to manage the situation and repeatedly explaining that he had never placed the orders.

As the harassment intensified, the influencer posted an emotional video on Instagram pleading with those responsible to stop.

"I am suffering a lot after requesting a sweet box. I bow at your feet… Please stop ordering. I am under severe pressure," he said.

The video quickly attracted millions of views and widespread attention across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing sympathy while others continued to share jokes and memes about the incident.

Despite the public appeal, the deliveries reportedly continued unabated.

Unable to cope with the constant disturbances and mounting pressure, Veeramani eventually locked his house and left the area. Local residents reported that delivery agents continued arriving even after his departure.

In a later video update, the content creator stated that he was travelling and that his location could no longer be tracked. Calls to his publicly listed phone number have also reportedly been blocked.

The unusual episode has sparked debate about online privacy, digital harassment and the potential consequences of sharing personal information on social media. While many found the flood of refrigerators, televisions and food deliveries humorous at first, the incident ultimately highlighted how online pranks can quickly cross the line into real-world harassment with serious consequences.